The organiser: VSIA “Kultūras un sporta centrs “Daugava stadions””
Contest proposals: Year 2017, occupied the 2nd place
Partners: SIA “Uģis Šēnbergs, arhitekts” and UAB “Geologistic”
Daugava Stadium was founded in 1927 and it was granted a status of a national sports centre in 1927. The Nationwide Latvian Song and Dance Festivals, included on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Humanity, have often been held in Daugava Stadium.
On 9 February 2016, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to support the solutions for development of the territory incorporated in the spatial development strategy for the Culture and Sports Quarter in Grīziņkalns.
With Cabinet of Ministers Order of 16 August 2016, the territory of Daugava Stadium was granted a status of the object of national interests.
By implementing the Programme “Establishment of a Culture and Sports Quarter in the neighbourhood of Grīziņkalns”, it is planned to develop a modern, multifunctional and publicly accessible quarter of sports and culture, establishing an appropriate infrastructure for the needs of culture and sports sectors in the existing territory of Daugava Stadium.
Project idea
The idea of urban construction – DAUGAVA CENTRAL SQUARE, SUN SQUARE, THUNDER SQUARE (originally DAUGAVAS CENTRĀLAIS LAUKUMS, SAULES LAUKUMS, PĒRKONA LAUKUMS) – has been used as a conceptual basis for the development of the territory. The Daugava River is an example of natural development. The sun is a source of life, and the thunder is a force.
The urban town-planning boundaries for the Daugava Central Square (Daugavas centrālajam laukumam) are formed by the city blocks, which are like tributaries of the rivers that flow into the Daugava River.
When planning the city blocks, the traditions of ZEMGALES / VIDZEMES / SĒLIJAS/ KURZEMES/ LATGALES districts have been invoked.
The Sun Square (originally Saules laukuma) pavement is decorated with a graphic image, a three-dimensional Latvian flag. The district of Grīziņkalns is identified with a sandy Grīziņkalns hill. The sandy relief shapes, which were determined by the wind streams of Daugava, forms the backbone of the park. While the construction of the stadium blocks was inspired by the motives of the Grīzinkalns hill landscape and the new “sandstone”.
The sandy hills forming the land of Hausmani marsh have been shaped by four forces: the Daugava, the sun, windy thunderstorms and sea waves. The concept of reflecting the Grīzinkalns environment in developing the stadium was inspired by J. Broce’s drawing Sand Hills Near Hausmani Marsh (“Smilšu kalni pie Hausmanas purvā”) (1700).
Landscape imaging
In the block named „Zemgale“, the elements of the green fields, The Green Clay Wall („Zaļā māla siena“), are installed on the roof terrace (a publicly accessible park), and in the well-organised area.
In the block named „Vidzeme“, the orange elements of sandstone and limestone, The Orange Sand Limestone („Oranžā smilšu klints“), are installed in spiral facades at the outdoor galleries (a publicly accessible park), and in the well-organised area.
In the block named „Sēlija“, the grey elements of the dolomite river banks, The Grey Dolomite Wall („Pelēkā dolomīta siena“), are installed in facades and well-organised area.
In the block named „Kurzeme“, the yellow elements of steep seaside, The Yellow Stone Wall („Dzeltenā akmens siena“), are installed in facades and well organised area.
In the block named „Latgale“, the blue elements of the lake’s surface, The Blue Water Wall („Zilā ūdens siena“), are installed in facades and well organised area.
The centre „Daugavas centrs“ consists of eight sports blocks which are autonomous on a daily basis but join the common system during the mass events. This is how the flow of participants / athletes to the central square is ensured.
The existing block „Daugava“ is a central dance, athletics, and football pitch, designed for competitions and performances.
The existing block „Pērkons“ is designed for dance and athletics workouts.
The existing block „Saule“ is a central meeting area, also designed for dance performances and street sport events.
The block „Zemgale“ is designed for ice hockey, kerling, bobsleigh, swimming, rehabilitation, meditation, and as a meeting area for dancers.
The block „Vidzeme“ is designed for basketball, volleyball, meditation, and as a meeting area for dancers.
The block „Sēlija“ is designed for boxing, martial arts, and as a meeting area for dancers.
The block „Kurzeme“ is designed for athletes’ accommodation, and as a meeting area for dancers.
The block „Latgale“ is designed for athletics, shooting, meditation, and as a meeting area for dancers.
Architectural solution
In the block named „Zemgale“, the elements of the green fields prevailing in the region were used.
In the block named „Vidzeme“, the orange elements of sandstone and limestone were used.
In the block named „Sēlija“, the grey elements of the dolomite river banks that are typical of the region were used.
In the block named „Kurzeme“, the yellow elements of steep seaside banks in the region were used.
In the block named „Latgale“, the blue elements of the lake’s surface in the region were used.
Technical and economic indicators
Built-up area – 27 011 sq.m.;
Free territory – 74 %;
Coverage – 44 %;
Total (gross) floor area –
46 242 sq.m. (outer perimeter);
Total useful floor area – 45 270 sq.m.
